Back to the original topic, alkaline conditions don't make much difference toward decarboxylation. The decarboxylation just happens due to the heat in the method describing alkaline conditions.
However, if the goal is to decarboxylate THC or CBD at lower temperatures in order to avoid oxidation, the decarboxylation reaction can be catalyzed by the presence of MgO, magnesium oxide. This is a practice in the decarboxylation of petroleum compounds. MgO can significantly reduce the time and temperature needed to decarboxylate cannabinoids.
For example, the speed of decarboxylation of THC achieved at 250°F can be achieved in the presence of MgO at 150°F.
Aside from catalysis, the most common way to avoid oxidation during and after decarboxylation is to simply eliminate the presence of oxygen. In other words, decarboxylating under vacuum (which can be quite messy) or under a blanket of nitrogen gas (preferred method) will keep the decarboxylated THC and CBD from oxidizing to CBN. Either method can be accomplished in a normal vacuum oven. Just pull a vacuum on the room temperature material and then backfill the oven with pure nitrogen gas before turning up the temperature to decarboxylate.
However, if the goal is to decarboxylate THC or CBD at lower temperatures in order to avoid oxidation, the decarboxylation reaction can be catalyzed by the presence of MgO, magnesium oxide. This is a practice in the decarboxylation of petroleum compounds. MgO can significantly reduce the time and temperature needed to decarboxylate cannabinoids.
For example, the speed of decarboxylation of THC achieved at 250°F can be achieved in the presence of MgO at 150°F.
Aside from catalysis, the most common way to avoid oxidation during and after decarboxylation is to simply eliminate the presence of oxygen. In other words, decarboxylating under vacuum (which can be quite messy) or under a blanket of nitrogen gas (preferred method) will keep the decarboxylated THC and CBD from oxidizing to CBN. Either method can be accomplished in a normal vacuum oven. Just pull a vacuum on the room temperature material and then backfill the oven with pure nitrogen gas before turning up the temperature to decarboxylate.
